Quake shakes CHC tourism appeal

Northland Bay of Isalnds has replaced Christchurch as the top domestic holiday spot

Recent research reveals that the number of New Zealanders interested in holidaying in the Christchurch/Canterbury region has dropped and shifted to the Northland/Bay of Islands area.

Statistic complied by Roy Morgan found that since the devastating earthquake which struck Christchurch in late February 2011, domestic visitor arrivals are on the decrease.

In the twelve months to January 2012, 21 percent of New Zealanders said they would like to holiday in the Christchurch/Canterbury region, down 26 percent from the same period the year before.

According to Roy Morgan research the Northland/Bay of Islands has now stolen the spot as the most popular domestic holiday destination, with 26 percent of Kiwis saying they would like to holiday in the region.

Roy Morgan Research international director of tourism, travel & leisure Jane Ianniello, said since the Christchurch earthquake the region has suffered.

“The widespread media coverage of the Christchurch Earthquake in late February 2011 and the subsequent June quake has caused the Christchurch/Canterbury region to lose appeal as a domestic holiday destination,” Ms Ianniello said.

“Although preference for a domestic holiday has declined over the past year, there are still 2.6 million New Zealanders who are interested in taking a domestic holiday, and it is important to understand their demographic, attitudinal and behavioural profile and to tailor an appropriate communication message.”

Overall, the preference for a domestic holiday is 75 percent for the twelve months to January 2012, down from 77 percent for the same period the previous year.

Meanwhile, the preference for an overseas vacation has remained stable at 60 percent over the past year.